Saturday was sweet! I went through the temple with Marcio and his family. I don't have words to describe my feelings and joy. I saw a ton of people from my previous area, Mogi das Cruzes, too! It was a special day!

Marcio, Itacila, and their daughter - used by permission of the family.

The Sao Paulo Temple.

(Marcio posted an album with many more pictures of their special day on Facebook)

Monday, August 24, 2015

My new companion is way cool. His name is Elder Gustavo Medina. He is from the hottest city in Brazil called Cuiabá. It's 125 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. He has one more transfer then I do. He will study electrical engineering after his mission.

We are opening up this area. I’m new and I wasn’t left with any investigators. We were able to find seven homes to teach in this week. Some are families which is always nice. I like teaching families. A couple of the people we teach have a lot of problems. The gospel of Jesus Christ is needed by all.

The bishop here is a super good speaker. He is the institute director. The other day we planned to meet with him but our meeting was canceled. Two members of the quorum of seventy showed up to speak with him.

I’ve had so many amazing experiences on my mission. I couldn’t even give a talk anymore without sharing some of them.

I’m losing a ton of weight here in this area. I can’t eat like I use to. After the food contest in Mogi I haven’t eaten as much anymore. I don’t think it is possible for me to win the t-shirt at Spock Burgers.

The picture of that orange soup is called vatapá. It’s north eastern food. You would probably love it. It’s Brazil’s take on curry. I think the food is way good here. It’s not weird or sketchy. A lot of dishes use rice and beans. You can’t go wrong with those ingredients. The BBQ here is the bomb! Pizza is different, but I like it too. I often eat beans on top of spaghetti.

Monday, August 17, 2015

I’ve spent the last day of Elder Faustino's mission visiting the families he taught. Elder Faustino asked to spend his last day with me so I have been with him all day. We have been traveling all day long -- since 5:00 in the morning. We are stopping by people he taught and talking about the mission and stuff like that. It has been a blast!

Elder Faustino and Elder Hammond surrounded by Sister and President Ferrin.

I do not know who my next companion will be, but I am told he will be Brazilian.

Transfers are tomorrow morning. What’s sad is I still don’t have a photo with Elder Mika who has been my companion for the past week. He is going home too. I’ll try to get a picture with him tomorrow.

I’ve got to go. I’ll be traveling again some next week, but it won’t be as crazy and chaotic as today.

Monday, August 10, 2015

[Dallen’s grandmother passed away Monday morning. She is a great lady that will be dearly missed. She had a good day Sunday and saw lots of family and visitors. She slipped away quietly Monday morning holding grandpa’s hand]

I’ll answer questions here in a bit… I don’t know if I can express my thoughts about grandma right now. I’m in a public place and am trying to hold it together. I had hoped to talk with her again. I was going to ask the mission president if I could have permission to Skype after reading your emails from earlier in the week.

Dallen's brother, Brady, with grandma and grandpa McPhie.

I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and the plan of salvation. I will be going to the temple on August 29th to see a couple that means so much to me married for eternity. Through those holding priesthood authority families are sealed and linked together. One day, I will see and converse with grandma again.

Friday, August 7, 2015

I’m being emergency transferred. Elder Ornelas and I will no longer be companions. I’ll be a new zone leader. One of the zone leaders is being transferred to the mission office and I’m taking his place. I’ll be in the same zone but will move areas.

My new companion is American and goes home in twelve days. He will train me and then I’ll probably continue on with a new companion in this area once he leaves.

This week I received a random impression about grandma and grandpa during my studies. I said a prayer for them but I have a feeling something is happening…